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From the National Weather Service and our partners at WSBT-TV: Special Weather Statement issued June 21 at 3:25PM EDT by NWS NorthernIndiana ...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS MOVING TOWARD WESTERN CASS...BERRIEN... NORTHWESTERN MARSHALL...LA PORTE...WESTERN ST. JOSEPH AND STARKE COUNTIES... AT 223 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM 11 MILES WEST OF ST. JOSEPH TO 8 MILES SOUTHWEST OF MICHIGAN CITY TO 9 MILES WEST OF WANATAH TO 18 MILES SOUTHWEST OF LA CROSSE...MOVING EAST AT 35 MPH. PEA SIZE HAIL...WINDS GREATER THAN 40 MPH...FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING AND BRIEF HEAVY DOWNPOURS ARE POSSIBLE WITH THESE STORMS.

The National Weather Service office in Syracuse is warning that recent cold weather may lead to ice jams on area rivers. Ice jams occur when pieces of ice break off and float downstream, eventually collecting in narrow or winding areas of the river. This can block the flow of water, causing rising water levels upstream from the jam. Also, the jams can suddenly release, causing a surge of water to flow downstream at a high speed. Jams have already begun to form along the Tippecanoe River near Ora, and may also develop along other area rivers.

The risk of riptides is increased today along Lake Michigan shores. The National Weather Service issued an advisory about 4:15 a.m. Wednesday for LaPorte and Berrien counties that extends through tonight. High waves are expected to create dangerous swimming conditions, especially near sandbars, breakwalls and piers. The NWS advises that if caught in a rip current, wade or swim parallel to the shore until free and then head back to the shore. For further updates on weather and travel conditions, check back with SBT24/7 News at www.southbendtribune.

The National Weather Service has issued a lake-effect snow watch for five area counties, including St. Joseph in Indiana, in a 4 a.m. update Sunday. Accumulating snow is expected to begin later Monday, northwest of a line from Sturgis, Mich., to Warsaw and Winimac in Indiana, NWS said. Heaviest snow bands are most likely to set up west of Dowagiac in Michigan and Plymouth in Indiana. The watch is in effect Monday evening into Tuesday for LaPorte, Marshall and Starke counties, as well as Berrien in Michigan.

The latest National Weather Service advisory, issued early Wednesday, points out the potential for ice jamming on rivers in addition to expected snowfall later today. In many places, the flooding from rain during recent warm weather had started to go down. But then along came cold weather and ice jamming that is raising water along the St. Joseph River in Elkhart County. After midnight Wednesday, the NWS added another advisory because ice jamming and flooding is likely along other rivers across the area, a result of bitter cold temperatures that extend into Friday.

With so much snow already on the ground, it may be hard to envision 20 inches more in some places. But that's exactly what may happen in the heaviest of lake-effect snow bands through Wednesday. A lake-effect snow warning remains in effect for Berrien County in Michigan and LaPorte and western St. Joseph counties in Indiana, and the possible snowfall totals range from four inches all the way up to 20. "We are getting hammered," said a LaPorte County dispatcher at about 2 a.m. He said since 10 p.m., snowfall rates were at least one inch per hour.

The National Weather Service (NWS) continues its Freeze Warning for northern Indiana through Sunday night. The NWS recorded a temperature of only 29 degrees at the South Bend Regional Airport as of 3 a.m. Sunday morning. The high is expected to be near 49 on Sunday, but will drop again in the evening to a low of about 32 degrees. This low will actually seem even colder due to a north wind of between 10 and 20 mph, the NWS reports. For weather updates, turn to < > , <

The National Weather Service issued a special weather statement at about 5 a.m. this morning because of expected heavy rainfall. Up to two inches of rain, associated with a warm front across the region, may fall before noon across a large portion of northern Indiana and extreme southern Michigan, NWS reports. Rain in excess of one inch per hour is possible in some locations. Even with recent drought conditions, NWS said, water problems may occur in low-lying areas. Drivers are asked to slow down and exercise caution this morning.

The National Weather Service in Northern Indiana has issued a freeze warning and wind advisory for northern Indiana and southwestern Michigan early Wednesday morning. The wind advisory will be in effect from 8 a.m. Wednesday morning until 8 p.m. Wednesday evening, according to the NWS. A wind advisory is issued when sustained winds are forecasted to be 30 to 39 miles per hour, or gusts are predicted to range between 45 and 57 miles per hour. These winds could cause minor property damage if people donÂ?

The National Weather Service (NWS) has reported that there is a 40% chance of snow before 7:00 a.m. today. NWS also indicates a chance of flurries after 1pm, with cloudy skies and a high near 35, along with a West wind between 5 and 10 mph. Additionally, Indiana and Michigan State Police report that many roads in the Southwest Michigan and Northern Indiana regions remain wet. Drivers are advised to use caution throughout these areas this morning....

From the National Weather Service and our partners at WSBT-TV: Special Weather Statement issued June 21 at 3:25PM EDT by NWS NorthernIndiana ...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS MOVING TOWARD WESTERN CASS...BERRIEN... NORTHWESTERN MARSHALL...LA PORTE...WESTERN ST. JOSEPH AND STARKE COUNTIES... AT 223 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM 11 MILES WEST OF ST. JOSEPH TO 8 MILES SOUTHWEST OF MICHIGAN CITY TO 9 MILES WEST OF WANATAH TO 18 MILES SOUTHWEST OF LA CROSSE...MOVING EAST AT 35 MPH. PEA SIZE HAIL...WINDS GREATER THAN 40 MPH...FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING AND BRIEF HEAVY DOWNPOURS ARE POSSIBLE WITH THESE STORMS.

Would you like to become a volunteer "Skywarn Spotter" for the National Weather Service? Several free upcoming area training sessions are planned for individuals who would like to become volunteer weather watchers who report weather news to the National Weather Service. The weather watchers help the weather service get accurate and timely weather information to the region. The training sessions are free and open to the general public: 6:30 p.m. Feb. 7 in Plymouth: Room 112, Marshall County Building, 112 W. Jefferson St. 2 and 6 p.m. Feb. 9 in Elkhart: Jail Training Room, Corrections Complex, 26861 County Road 26 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. CDT March 14 in Westville: Purdue North Central, 1401 S. U.S. 421 2 and 6 p.m. March 19 in South Bend: at the Airport Training Center, 4477 Progress Drive 2:30 and 7 p.m. March 29 in Centreville: at St. Joseph County (Mich.)

This story was originally posted at 1:44 a.m. Dec. 28, 2008. A strong cold front moving through Michiana early Sunday brought high winds and heavy rain to the region, felling large trees and leaving many in the dark. The National Weather Service issued a special weather statement just before 1 a.m. EST warning of winds up to 55 mph along with the heavy showers, extending along a line from New Buffalo, Mich., south to Logansport. Although no severe storms were expected, the winds would bring down branches and power lines.

The National Weather Service has issued a lake-effect snow warning for St. Joseph, LaPorte and Berrien counties from 10 a.m. today to 1 p.m. Friday. According to the NWS Northern Indiana Web site at www.crh.noaa.gov/iwx, snow showers are expected to develop this morning and become heavier this evening. A strong band of snow is expected to develop in Berrien, St. Joseph and eastern LaPorte counties, where totals could exceed eight inches. In addition to the snowfall, strong northwest winds could cause blowing and drifting of the snow in some areas.

First, it was perhaps a few inches. Then, maybe 6 or 8 in the heavier lake-effect snow towns. Now? Get those shovels out in LaPorte and Berrien counties, where more than a foot of snow may fall, beginning later Monday. The National Weather Service expects the first significant snow of the season as cold air moves in across the Great Lakes this afternoon. And now additional counties in Michiana are expecting snow, too. The National Weather Service has continued its lake-effect snow watch for Berrien County, along with LaPorte, St. Joseph, Marshall and Starke in Indiana.

Lake-effect snow squalls are expected to develop on Monday, the National Weather Service reported Sunday, with as much as six inches of snow expected in parts of Michiana. Snow showers are likely Sunday night, but with no accumulation. Then late Monday into Tuesday, the winter storm will pass through LaPorte, St. Joseph, Starke and Marshall counties as well as Berrien County, Michigan, the NWS reported. Some squalls are likely to be heavy, the NSW said. With much colder air moving over the warmer waters of Lake Michigan, snow accumulation is likely across the region Â?

The National Weather Service has issued a lake-effect snow watch for five area counties, including St. Joseph in Indiana, in a 4 a.m. update Sunday. Accumulating snow is expected to begin later Monday, northwest of a line from Sturgis, Mich., to Warsaw and Winimac in Indiana, NWS said. Heaviest snow bands are most likely to set up west of Dowagiac in Michigan and Plymouth in Indiana. The watch is in effect Monday evening into Tuesday for LaPorte, Marshall and Starke counties, as well as Berrien in Michigan.

The National Weather Service urges travelers to use caution as high winds sweep across Michiana Sunday. A wind advisory remains in effect for all Michigan and Indiana counties from 10 a.m. EDT until 10 p.m. EDT. Winds greater the 30 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph and higher, will arrive with a cold front this morning. The strongest winds are expected in late morning and early afternoon. Driving on north-south roads may be difficult, especially for people traveling in high-profile vehicles.

NILES ? Nearby residents had been evacuated early Tuesday as Berrien County authorities feared the Pucker Street Dam north of Niles may fail. Early reports from the National Weather Service indicate a 30-foot portion of the earthen wall had already collapsed before midnight, according to information NWS received from the county emergency manager. That was a larger section than first reported at 10 p.m., when fire and rescue crews began evacuations. Niles 911 dispatchers said people had been removed from the nearby Nub Lake Campground in the 1700 block of Pucker Street Drive.